Details emerge in Ukraine of alleged payments to Manafort

Friday, August 19, 2016 - 01:19

A Ukrainian lawmaker releases more details of what he says were secret payments made to Paul Manafort, Donald Trump's former campaign chief who resigned the same day the new details emerged. Ashraf Fahim reports.

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More details have emerged of Paul Manafort's alleged financial dealings in Ukraine, shortly before the Trump campaign chairman announced his sudden resignation.
Ukrainian lawmaker Serhiy Leshchenko released what he said were itemized payments from a secret ledger ammounting to over $12 million dollars given to Manafort over five years.
Money, he said, for financing various activities of the political party headed by Kremlin-backed former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich.
Funds, he said, for carrying out exit polls during elections... .... buying computers and conducting research.
The largest single payment? $3.5 million.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER, SERHIY LESHCHENKO, SAYING:
"The basis of these payments are totally against the law. It's corrupt basis, and money were not under taxation in Ukraine, and I believe in the U.S. as well.
Manafort denied any impropriety after the allegations first surfaced on Sunday.
The allegations have fueled speculation about the Trump campaign's possible ties to the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Manafort stepped down on Friday after already being demoted by Trump in a shakeup this week of his top campaign staff.

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